Wire spool and support with inherent drag brake

ABSTRACT

A support for a wire spool of the type having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores. The support includes a base provided with a central upright downwardly over which the spool is loosely telescopingly receivable and the base is provided with upwardly projecting anti-friction rollers disposed on one side only of an upstanding plane containing the upright and the rollers are spaced radially outwardly from the upright whereby the spool will be supported on only one side from the rollers and will thus be cocked relative to the upright so that the surfaces of the spool defining at least one of the aforementioned axial bores will frictionally engage the upright and thus retard rotation of the spool relative to the support and upright for the purpose of maintaining wire being unwound from the spool in a reasonably taut condition.

United States Patent 1191 Klingbeil 1 Feb. 13, 1973 [5 WIRE SPOOL AND SUPPORT WITH 1,106,966 7/1955 France ..242/l28 INHERENT DRAG BRAKE [76] Inventor: Donald L. Klingbeil, 121 Atwood 222 jgf g g g :g

Drive, Mankato, Minn. 56001 mey I 6y co so 6 [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 207,342 A support for a wire spool of the type having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores. 52 us. c1. ..242/1-s6, 242/128, 242/129.8 Support a base P central Int Cl 865]] 59/04 upright downwardly over which the spool is loosely telescopingly receivable and the base is provided with [58] Field of Search ..242/l56, 156.2, 128, 129.8, d] f I n d 242/75 4 75 46 54R upwar y PI'OJGC mg an 1- motion to ers ispose on one side only of an upstanding plane containing the upright and the rollers are spaced radially outwardly [56] References cue! from the upright whereby the spool will be supported UNITED STATES PATENTS on only one side from the rollers and will thus be cocked relative to the upright so that the surfaces of 1,730,431 10/1929 Keefer ..242/l29.8 the pool defining at least one of the aforementioned g l axial bores will frictionally engage the upright and eson R 21155 11152292: 23t12211125 :12:22? 3,041,006 6/1962 56km ..242 12s p g p p g g Canada ..242/l56.2

I U I l I I I .1 I I I I I l I 1 l I l I I l A I l I I 1 I I l unwound from the spool in a reasonably taut condition. 4

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures WIRE SPOOL AND SUPPORT WITH INIIERENT DRAG BRAKE The wire spool support of the instant invention has been designed to provide a means whereby a person at the free end of a length of wire being unwound from a spool on which the other end of the wire is wound may efficiently and accurately unwind the desired amount of wire from the spool without the wire being unwound too fast, too much or in an uncontrolled manner. The wire spool support has been specifically designed for utilization in conjunction with a spool having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores and is constructed in a manner whereby an associated spool may be supported in a cocked manner relative to an upright of the support over which the spool is telescoped so that the surfaces of the end walls of the spool defining the aforementioned axial bores will frictionally engage the upright and thus retard rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction.

The main object of this invention is to provide a support for a spool of wire which will be capable of imparting a frictional drag against rotation of the spool relative to the support.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spool support in accordance with the preceding object and which will be capable of supporting an associated spool in an upright position as opposed to a horizontal position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a wire spool supporting structure that may be utilized in conjunction with substantially all wire spools provided with opposite end generally axial bores.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a wire spool support which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and automatic in its operation so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spool support having a spool of wire removably disposed thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and with a portion of the upper end of the upright of the spool support being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spool support illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spool support with the spool supporting and bearing plate portion thereof removed; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of spool support.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates a spool including a cylindrical body portion 12 whose opposite ends include end walls 14 and 16 of greater diameters than the diameter of the body portion 12. A plurality of circumferentially spaced tension rods 18 are secured through corresponding bores 20 formed in the end walls 14 and 16 in order to clamp the end walls 14 to the opposite ends of the body portion 12. It will be noted that the tension rods 18 are disposed immediately inwardly of and in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical body portion 12 thereby preventing lateral displacement of the body portion 12 relative to the end walls 14 and 16. Further, it will be noted from FIG. 2 of the drawings that the spool 10 has axially aligned central bores 22 and 24 formed through its end walls 14 and 16. Also, it will be seen that a length of television antenna wire 26 is wound on the body portion 12 of the spool 10 between the end walls 14 and 16 thereof.

With reference now more specifically to FIGS. 2 through 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the spool support of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 28 and includes agenerally circular base 30 including a horizontal circular upper wall 32 and depending circumferentially extending cylindrical side walls 34. The lower edge of the side wall 34 is reinforced by means of a peripheral ring 35 secured thereto and the lower end of a tubular upright 36 is secured downwardly through a center bore 38 formed in the upper wall 32. The lower terminal end of the upright 36 which projects below the upper wall 32 is reinforced by means of four equally circumferentially spaced radial bracing members 40 secured between the side wall 34 and corresponding sides of the lower terminal end of the standard 36.

A roller assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 42 is supported from the upper wall 32. The roller assembly 32 includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 44 secured to the upper wall 32 in any convenient manner and a roller 46 is journaled between the upper ends of the legs 48 of the Ushaped bracket with the axis of rotation of the roller 46 generally coinciding with a radius of the tubular upright 36.

A circular bearing plate 50 having a central opening or bore 52 is downwardly telescoped over the upright 36 and has one peripheral portion thereof supported from the roller 46. The spool 10 is telescoped downwardly over the upright 36 on top of the bearing plate 50 which underlies the lower headed ends of the tension rods 18 projecting below the undersurface of the end wall 16 of the spool 10.

With the bearing plate 50 and the spool 10 thus positioned on the spool support 28, it will be noted that the spool 10 is cocked relative to the upright 36 so that the surfaces of the end wall 14 defining the bore 22 frictionally engages the adjacent portions of the upright 36.

It is also possible that the surfaces of the end wall 16 defining the bore 24 may frictionally engage the adjacent surfaces of the upright 36. In any event, the bearing plate 50 is free to rotate about the upright 36 while supported from the roller 46 as the spool 10 is rotated during unwinding of the wire 26. However, frictional engagement of the surfaces of the end wall 14 defining the bore 22 with the upright 36 retards rotation of the spool 10.

It is believed apparent that if the free end 26' of the wire 26 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 58 the surfaces of the end wall 14 defining the bore 22 will be disposed in tighter frictional engagement with the upright 36 than if the free end 26' of the wire 26 was pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Thus, the amount of frictional resistance opposing rotation of the spool 10 may be varied merely by changing the direction in which the wire 26 is unwound from the spool 10. Further, the distance between the roller assembly 42 and the upright 36 may be varied in order to change the amount of friction which will resist rotation of the spool 10. Further, if it is desired, the roller assembly 42 could be mounted on the upper wall 32 in a manner enabling ready adjustment of the roller assembly 42 generally radially of the tubular upright 36.

With attention now invited more specifically to H0. 5 of the drawings there will be seen a modified form of spool support referred to in general by the reference numeral 28' and which is substantially identical to the spool support 28 except that it is provided with a pair of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies 42' corresponding to the roller assembly 42. Accordingly, components of the support 28' corresponding to the various components of the support 28 have been designated by corresponding prime reference numerals.

Also, it will be noted that the operation of the spool support 28' is substantially identical to the operation of the spool support 28, except that the effective cantilever support of the spool by the roller assemblies 42' is not as severe as the cantilever support of the spool by the roller assembly 42 and therefore the frictional engagement of a spool supported from the bearing plate 50' with the upright 36 is not quite as great as the frictional engagement of the spool 10 with the upright 36. Also, if the spacing of the roller assembly 42 radially outwardly from the upright 36 is sufficiently different from the spacing of the tension rods 18 from the centers of the bores 22 and 24, the bearing plate 50 is not needed and the lower end wall 16 of the spool 10 may rest directly upon the roller 46.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a spool having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores, a support for said spool including a base and an upright secured at its lower end portion to and projecting upwardly from said base, and anti-friction support means carried by said support, disposed on one side only of an upstanding plane containing said upright and elevated above said base, said spool being disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received through said bores and the underside of said spool supported primarily from said anti-friction support means whereby said spool will be cocked relative to said upright and the portions of said spool defining at least one of said bores will frictionally engage the upright so as to resist rotation of the spool relative to the support.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support includes a generally panel-like bearing plate having a central aperture formed therethrough, said bearing plate being slidably disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received through said aperture and said bearing pla e disposed beneath said spool with the lower end of said spool resting upon said bearing plate and the underside of said bearing plate supported from said anti-friction support means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said anti-friction support means includes a single roller member journaled from said base, for rotation about a generally horizontal axis extending generally radially of said upright.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said anti-friction support means includes two rollers journaled from said base and angularly displaced about said upright with the axes of rotation of said rollers generally coinciding with radii of said upright.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said roller member is constructed of at least somewhat resilient material.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base includes a generally horizontal upper wall with depending peripheral side wall skirt portions whose lower marginal edges are adapted to be supported from a suitable support surface, the lower end of said upright being secured through a center portion of said upper wall and including a lower terminal end projecting below said upper wall, and a plurality of elongated brace members secured between the inner surfaces of said depending peripheral skirt portions and said lower terminal end of said upright, said brace members being disposed generally along radii of said upright.

7. A support for a spool of the type having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores, said support including a base and an upright secured at its lower end portion to said base, anti-friction support means carried by said support above said base and disposed to one side only of an upstanding plane containing said upright, said support being adapted to have said spool telescoped downwardly onto said upright with the lower end wall of said spool resting upon said anti-friction support means for primary support therefrom, whereby said spool will be cocked relative to said upright and the portions of the upper end wall of the spool defining the associated bore will frictionally engage the upright so as to resist rotation of the spool relative to the support.

8. The combination of claim 7 including a generally panel-like bearing plate having a central aperture formed therein, said bearing plate being disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received in said aperture and the underside of said bearing plate resting upon said anti-friction means, said bearing plate being adapted to support said spool from said anti-friction means with the underside of the spool resting upon the upper surface of said bearing plate.

i i I 

1. In combination, a spool having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores, a support for said spool including a base and an upright secured at its lower end portion to and projecting upwardly from said base, and anti-friction support means carried by said support, disposed on one side only of an upstanding plane containing said upright and elevated above said base, said spool being disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received through said bores and the underside of said spool supported primarily from said anti-friction support means whereby said spool will be cocked relative to said upright and the portions of said spool defining at least one of said bores will frictionally engage the upright so as to resist rotation of the spool relative to the support.
 1. In combination, a spool having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores, a support for said spool including a base and an upright secured at its lower end portion to and projecting upwardly from said base, and anti-friction support means carried by said support, disposed on one side only of an upstanding plane containing said upright and elevated above said base, said spool being disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received through said bores and the underside of said spool supported primarily from said anti-friction support means whereby said spool will be cocked relative to said upright and the portions of said spool defining at least one of said bores will frictionally engage the upright so as to resist rotation of the spool relative to the support.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support includes a generally panel-like bearing plate having a central aperture formed therethrough, said bearing plate being slidably disposed on said upright with the latter loosely received through said aperture and said bearing plate disposed beneath said spool with the lower end of said spool resting upon said bearing plate and the underside of said bearing plate supported from said anti-friction support means.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said anti-friction support means includes a single roller member journaled from said base, for rotation about a generally horizontal axis extending generally radially of said upright.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said anti-friction support means includes two rollers joUrnaled from said base and angularly displaced about said upright with the axes of rotation of said rollers generally coinciding with radii of said upright.
 5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said roller member is constructed of at least somewhat resilient material.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base includes a generally horizontal upper wall with depending peripheral side wall skirt portions whose lower marginal edges are adapted to be supported from a suitable support surface, the lower end of said upright being secured through a center portion of said upper wall and including a lower terminal end projecting below said upper wall, and a plurality of elongated brace members secured between the inner surfaces of said depending peripheral skirt portions and said lower terminal end of said upright, said brace members being disposed generally along radii of said upright.
 7. A support for a spool of the type having opposite end walls provided with aligned generally axial bores, said support including a base and an upright secured at its lower end portion to said base, anti-friction support means carried by said support above said base and disposed to one side only of an upstanding plane containing said upright, said support being adapted to have said spool telescoped downwardly onto said upright with the lower end wall of said spool resting upon said anti-friction support means for primary support therefrom, whereby said spool will be cocked relative to said upright and the portions of the upper end wall of the spool defining the associated bore will frictionally engage the upright so as to resist rotation of the spool relative to the support. 